A community centre in Blackburn has been given a £30,000 makeover after it was nominated to benefit from a major revamp to help improve facilities for the local neighbourhood.

Ivy Street Community Centre provides a wide range of services and social activities for local people.

From youth groups, to sport clubs, parent and toddler sessions, a drop-in family health clinic to public consultations, the centre is a much loved community resource which has helped to strengthen community relations in the area.

Open seven days a week, the centre is owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council, and run by a team of local volunteers who are customers of Places for People.

The centre was nominated by staff at Places for People as the deserving winner of the annual social value project, to revamp and modernise the facilities to ensure it continues meet the needs of the local community.

Over 30 operatives from Places for People Property Maintenance team joined contractors Novus Property Solutions and ENGIE, along with other partners and suppliers, to give the centre a new lease of life – volunteering their time, materials and services to an estimated value of over £30,000.

The week-long makeover included updating the kitchen and bathroom facilities, installing baby change facilities and a defibrillator, decorating the main communal area and offices, supplying new front doors and renewing furniture.

Places for People’s annual makeover project is part of a social value campaign aimed at delivering services that enhance economic, social and environmental wellbeing among residents, communities and suppliers.

Jamie Dickinson, Head of Social Value at Places for People said:

We are really excited about this project as it gives us an opportunity to give back to our customers and the communities we operate in.

We are committed to making sure that our homes and neighbourhoods are places where people want to live and can thrive.

Ivy Street is the hub of this community and a valuable resource for local people – these improvement works will help to ensure it remains that way now and in the future, and gives our customers a place to be proud of.

This investment from Places for People has helped to reinvigorate our community centre which will benefit everyone.

Ivy Street is a fantastic genuine community hub, bringing people together from all backgrounds which works to address everything from social isolation to helping people to stay fit and healthy. I am really proud and thankful for each and every single volunteer for giving their time, commitment and energy to help and support local people.”

We hope this investment encourages even more groups and people to make use of this excellent facility.

Photo from l-r: David McDonough, Places for People Property Maintenance Trade Supervisor, Neil Warburton, ENGIE regeneration manager for the North West, Jamie Dickinson, Head of Social Value at Places for People, Christine Connell, Ivy Street community centre manager, Sam Wyatt, Tenancy Enforcement Team Manager at Places for People.